The previous article presented the spark that ignited the war in the City of Peace in 1948 between the Arab armies and the Zionist forces. The Arab armies made significant advances, with the Egyptian army capturing three Jewish settlements and nearing Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the Iraqi army liberated the city of Jenin, and the Jordanian army formed a strong front that inflicted heavy losses on Israeli forces. Lebanese forces captured the villages of al-Malkiyeh and Qadas. The article also discussed the Battle of Bab al-Wad, which inflicted heavy losses on the Zionists. On May 29, 1948, the Security Council intervened and decided to impose a ceasefire, but Israel did not abide by the decision. It gathered weapons, and a large number of European Jews volunteered to fight. Zionist forces then violated the truce and besieged the Egyptian forces in Falujah, in a clear defiance of the resolution; as the Al-Quds website states, “Despite the notable Arab superiority, the Security Council’s resolution of May 29th imposed the first truce on both sides of the conflict. This allowed the Israelis to reinforce their forces and equipment with the aid of foreign countries and organizations, acquiring warplanes, artillery, and heavy armored vehicles. Despite the truce, they occupied new territories that had been seized by Arabs during the ceasefire period.”
On July 9, 1948, fighting resumed between the two sides, but the Zionist position had strengthened. The Jews had managed to open the road to al-Quds, and had gained control of the coast, the Upper Galilee, Lydda, Ramle, and a large part of central Palestine. On July 7, 1948, the Security Council issued a resolution urging the parties concerned in Palestine to agree to extend the truce for a period to be agreed upon in consultation with the mediator. On July 15, 1948, the Security Council issued a resolution ordering the parties to refrain from further military action and instructing the mediator to continue his efforts to demilitarize al-Quds. It considered the situation in Palestine a threat to the peace, within the meaning of Article 39 of the United Nations Charter. Likewise, it ordered the governments and authorities concerned to cease further military action, by issuing orders to their military and paramilitary forces to cease fire, in accordance with Article 40 of the United Nations Charter, no later than three days from the date of the decision. It also stated that the failure of any government or authority to comply would be a breach of peace, requiring the Security Council to consider the matter immediately with a view to taking further action as it may decide upon. The resolution also stipulated an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities in the city ofal-Quds, to become effective twenty-four hours after the adoption of the resolution, with any necessary steps being taken to ensure a ceasefire. The Council instructed the mediator to continue efforts to demilitarize al-Quds, without prejudice to the future political status of the city, and to ensure the protection and access to holy places, buildings, and religious sites in Palestine. Thus,came the second United Nations truce, from July 18 to October 15, 1948.
However, the Zionist army did not comply with the resolution and continued fighting, engaging in operations to demolish Palestinian villages and expel their inhabitants. From July 24to 26, Operation Shotertook place, in which Zionist forces attacked and occupied the villages of Ein Ghazal, Jabba, and Ijzim, south of Haifa. Between August 24to 28, the Zionists carried out Operation “Nikayon” (Cleansing) to occupy the coastal area west of Yibna and north of Ashdod. From late August to mid-October, the Israeli army expelled Bedouins and villagers in the Negev. The Al-Quds website states:
“The second truce came on July 18, but the Zionist forces continued fighting, capturing Beersheba, BaytJibrin, and other areas. They forced the Egyptian forces to withdraw from the Negev, penetrated parts of Sinai, and continued their advance into southern Palestine until they captured the Egyptian port of Umm al-Rashrash on the Gulf of Aqaba, demolished the port, and established their sole outlet on the Red Sea, Eilat.” Thus, Operations “Yoav” and “Hahar,” carried out by the Zionist forces in the south, ended the second truce, leading to Security Council Resolution 61 on November 4, 1948, calling for the withdrawal of forces and the establishment of permanent ceasefire lines.
Tackling al-Quds still amazes us for stories of “Beautiful Egypt” are endless
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
